Retail Stores
Independent retailers can find funding for the storefront, the point-of-sale system and selling online. Many cities offer storefront and facade grants for signage, lighting, awnings and windows. In Ontario, the Retail Modernization Project Grant may pay 50% of eligible costs, up to $5,000, for POS, inventory and other store technology. Digital programs and technology loans may help pay for an online store. We check which programs are open now, explain the rules and deadlines, and send deadline alerts. You apply on the official program site.
Common costs
Costs funding can help with
A storefront that needs work
Faded signage, worn awnings and old windows cost money to fix. Many cities run storefront grants that may pay part of the cost of this work.
POS and inventory systems
A new point-of-sale or inventory system is a large cost for a small store. In Ontario, a retail technology grant may pay part of the hardware and software cost. BDC technology loans are another option across Canada.
The cost of selling online
An online store costs money before it earns any. Some digital programs, and technology loans such as the BDC Technology Equipment Loan, may help pay for an e-commerce site.
Training and seasonal staff
Busy seasons need extra staff, and new staff need training. Wage subsidies such as Canada Summer Jobs may pay part of a student's wages, and training grants may pay part of the training cost.
Funding paths
Where to start, in order
- 01
Fix up the storefront
City storefront and facade grants may pay part of the cost of signage, exterior lighting, awnings, doors and windows. Each city sets its own amounts, areas and intake dates.
- 02
Pay for POS and store technology
In Ontario, the Retail Modernization Project Grant may pay 50% of eligible costs, up to $5,000, for POS hardware, inventory software, self-checkout and similar tools. You apply and get approved first. Then you buy the tools, and the program pays back its share.
- 03
Sell online
Digital programs and technology loans may help pay for an online store. Some pay for the website itself. Others pay for the software or equipment behind it.
- 04
Train and hire staff
Training grants may pay part of the cost of training staff. Wage subsidies may pay part of the wages for new or summer hires.
Funding categories
Programs that may relate
Retail technology, e-commerce and storefront projects may fit provincial and city programs. Rules and budgets change between intakes, and each program decides who is approved. We check what is open right now and link every program to its official source, where you apply.
We track 123 programs across Canada that may fit a store. Here are examples from different provinces. You can also check your funding fit to see the ones your province offers.
Starter Company Plus
Up to $5,000
Starter Company Plus pairs a grant of up to $5,000 with hands-on training and one-on-one guidance from your local Small Business Enterprise Centre.
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Retail Modernization Project Grant (RMPG)
Up to $5,000
Ontario shops can get 50% back, up to $5,000, on modern store technology: POS systems, inventory tracking, self-checkout kiosks, CRM and more.
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Commercial Buildings Retrofit Program
Up to $1,250,000
This program helps New Brunswick business owners cut energy bills and improve facilities by reimbursing costs for audits and retrofits.
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PME MTL: Funds for Retail businesses
Up to $25,000
This fund supports retail businesses on Montreal commercial streets with non-repayable grants for new launches, model adaptations, or resilience…
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Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (SEED): Entrepreneur Support
Up to $25,000
This territorial program helps NWT entrepreneurs fund start-ups, expansion, and market development.
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Manitoba: Paid Work Experience Tax Credits
Up to $5,000
A family of fully refundable provincial tax credits for employers in Manitoba who hire co-op students, co-op graduates, high school vocational…
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New store funding, straight to your inbox
Programs for businesses like yours open and close all year. One short email when something worth your time changes, and nothing else.
Funding by need
Funding for what stores need
Funding for Retail POS
Grants and loans that may help pay for point-of-sale systems and other store technology.
Funding for Storefronts and Facades
Grants and loans that may help pay for storefront and facade work.
Funding for E-commerce
Grants and loans to help you launch or improve your online store.
Funding for Storefront Signage
Grants and loans that may help pay for new storefront signage.
Funding for Websites
Grants and loans to help you build or improve your business website.
Funding for Training
Grants to help you train staff and adopt new digital tools.
Where you are
Funding and grants in your province
Frequently asked questions
Is there funding for an online store?
Sometimes. Some digital adoption programs have paid for e-commerce set-up, and they open and close during the year. The BDC Technology Equipment Loan may pay for a new website or e-commerce site. That is a loan, so you pay it back. We check what is open now and link you to the official source, where you apply.
What might funding cover for a retail store?
Retail programs in Canada may pay for point-of-sale and inventory technology and digital planning. Some digital programs have paid for e-commerce set-up in past intakes. Many cities also run storefront or signage grants with their own intakes. Rules and budgets change, and the program decides who is approved. We check what is open now, explain the rules and deadlines, and link you to the official source. You apply there.